The charred body of a factory manager who was lynched by a mob in Pakistan for alleged blasphemy was returned to his native Sri Lanka on Dec. 6.
Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara was assaulted by a mob of hundreds of Muslims before being dragged into the streets and set on fire Dec. 3 in Sialkot, Pakistan, where he helped run a sports equipment factory.
Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that Kumara was a Christian. Local officials in Sialkot said the violence began when coworkers accused Kumara of blasphemy for removing posters bearing the name of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. However, a colleague of Kumara told the Associated Press of Pakistan that Kumara removed the posters as the building was about to be cleaned.
‘Day of shame’
Hours after the attack, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said it was a “day of shame” for Pakistan.
“The horrific vigilante attack on factory in Sialkot & the burning alive of Sri Lankan manager is a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations & let there be no mistake all those responsible will be punished with full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress,” he tweeted.
Punjab province’s chief minister Usman Buzdar tweeted, “I am extremely shocked at the horrific Sialkot incident. I have instructed IG Police to thoroughly investigate it. No one is allowed to take law in their hands. Rest assured, individuals involved in this inhumane act will not be spared!!” he tweeted.
Officials in Colombo, Sri Lanka, received Kumara’s remains in a wooden box decorated with flower garlands, before preparations to hand over the coffin to his family for his last rites.
Demanding justice
Hours before the arrival of the remains, dozens of activist and religious groups gathered before Pakistan’s mission in Colombo demanding justice for him.
“Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to apprehend those involved. They will be given very strong punishments,” Pakistan’s acting ambassador to Sri Lanka, Tanvir Ahmad, told Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian leaders who met him at the Pakistani mission.
Ahmad said Khan had spoken with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reassure him that Pakistani authorities were investigating the lynching.
In a phone call with Rajapaksa, Khan said Pakistani police had arrested more than 100 people in connection with the killing.
In Pakistan, mere allegations of blasphemy can trigger mob attacks. The country’s blasphemy law carries a possible death penalty.
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